~Chapter 1, Arabelle's POV~

I walked down the cobblestone path in the early morning light. My dark brown, wavy hair rustling softly in the morning breeze. I finally reached the shop. It was a French cottage style with a grey roof and white walls. Arched over the door Magical Reads was scrawled out in bold black paint with a calligraphy style. I slid my silver key into the keyhole and walked inside.

The small bookstore, owned by myself and my brother Alex, had grown over time. What had originally been a one room store had expanded and held more than just books. The main room was still the same. Red wood book shelves covered the walls from floor to ceiling, filled with numerous books from all over the world. Display tables with the newest books sat in the center of the room along with a couple of tables where we sold used books; which I always fixed up before setting out. An elegant crystal chandelier hung over the center of the room, smaller lights around the edges of the room.

I opened the door that led into the west wing. The soft blue walls held small lamp lights around the room. Book inspired merchandise decorated the room. We had everything from Percy Jackson shirts, to Hunger Games pillows, to Harry Potter wands. Anything you could think of for book merchandise, we had. We also did special orders for those lesser known series. I tied back the white lace curtains and let the morning light fill the room as I crossed the main room to the east wing.

The east wing was our newest addition and probably my favorite. It was soft lilac with crystals lights edging the room. This was where we sold everything an avid writer or an artist would need. We had multiple writing utensils, notebooks, loose paper, and even inspirational quote-a-day calendars. For the artists, we had every media, canvas, along with reference books. We also had business cards for publishers, books on writing and art tips, rhyming dictionaries, and extra things to help a writer or artist in need. It was my favorite room. I opened the curtains and let the light flood in.

I finally opened the main room curtains and flipped the sign to open. Alex wouldn't be in until later, but it wasn't long before Liam arrived. Since we expanded, Alex and I needed a few more hands. So, Raven and Liam worked at the store. Raven had been working as a veterinary assistant, but decided to come and work at the store so she would have more time to work on her art.

"Good morning Miss Beauty," Liam said as he came in.

"About time you got here, Mr. Wings," I said, kissing him on the cheek.

"It's not the shortest trip, even if I fly," Liam shrugged as his huge brown wings vanishing.

Liam Wings, my wonderful boyfriend, is the son of the legendary villain Maleficent. He had also chosen Rebel and we were writing our stories together. Liam had light brown, straight hair in a casual, combed back style. He wore a forest green peasant top with dark brown pants, black boots, and a black jacket. He had mint eyes and fair skin like his mother, but he lacked her horns.

"Have you heard from Raven?" I asked as he went into the next room.

"Not yet, why?" he replied, stopping at the entrance to the west wing.

"Just wondering, she's usually here by now."

"Here I am," Raven said, her smile appearing and then the rest of her.

Raven Cheshire-Cat is the daughter of the Cheshire-Cat, and Alex's long time girlfriend. Raven had purple, wavy hair with blue highlights, pale skin, cat ears, and purple eyes. She wore a black shirt, purple/blue jacket, dark purple skirt, purple/blue leggings, and black boots.

"Must you always enter that way?" I asked as she headed over to to the east wing.

"Not always, but I do enjoy it."

I turned as the jingling of a bell told me someone had arrived. It was my best (and oldest) friend forever after, Elane Snow. Elane is the daughter of Queen Elsa and was actually going to be crowned queen herself in less than a year (she's like 6 months older than me).

"Hey Arabelle," Elane said as she gave me a hug.

"Good morning, what are you doing in Book End?" I replied.

"I came to see if you wanted to go and get a hocus latte from the Hocus Latte Cafe?"

"I don't drink hocus lattes, remember?"

"I'll get a latte and you can get something else."

"I would, but I can't leave until Alex gets here."

"You could leave us here," Liam suggested.

"Haha, very funny," I replied. "We don't want a repeat of last time." You don't want to know.

"When will he be here?" Elane asked.

"I'm not-" I started.

"Morning sis," Alex said, walking through the door.

Alex and I don't look much alike. He had brown eyes, pale skin, and the same color hair as Dad's. While I had hazel blue eyes, fair skin, and dark brown, long, wavy hair like Mom's. We also dressed pretty differently. He wore a black t-shirt, black shoes, dark blue jeans, and a blue jacket with a yellow zipper. I wore a knee length dress in my Mom's ball gown style, with a few changes. The entire dress was navy blue and the roses were lavender, silver lace was laid over the bodice. I wore silver ballet flats with ribbons wrapping up to my knee. A small silver tiara with a rose shaped sapphire laid gently atop my head.

"Good, now you can come with me," Elane said brightly.

"Where?" Alex said.

"We're going to go and catch up," I explained. "I'll be back soon."

Elane and I walked outside and into the mid-morning light. The Village of Book End had come to life with several others up and opening for business. The cafe was just a block away, so we got there quickly. After we had our drinks, we sat off in a quiet spot.

"I actually really need to talk to you about something," Elane said in a soft and very serious voice.

tbc